Thousands of students across the country skipped taking the bus to school today in favor of getting some fun exercise.

Kids from White Plains were among those in the Hudson Valley who participated in National Walk or Bike to School Day. "Walking to School Day is pretty good. It's nice to walk instead of driving in a boring car," said seventh-grader Luke Stangarone.

The event involves communities from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

National Walk or Bike to School Day, which began in 1997, promotes exercise and has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school